I have a Sony GRT 915M notebook, could,nt getting the bl**dy thing to boot up Done exactly as you suggested and took out second chip of 256 memory from slot 2 and hey Presto!.....spot on information ..done the very job thankyou very much

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Hi everybody,
my friend and I wanted to upgrade her computer's memory, so she bought a 1gb kingston ram for her vgn-s5m/s (pcg-sh2m).
We got the memory this morning and put it in (the computer was off) and then tried to start the computer up, but it wouldn't. The light turns on (not the HD one, though) the cd player starts up and then there are a few feeble beeps. The screen is completely black and after the initial sounds it sits silent.
We are a bit puzzled, afraid that it might have been a short circuit perhaps. I'm not really good with hardware issues so have no idea what's going on. The other problem is that there seems to be only one slot in this model - or at least only one is easily accessible by just removing one screw - so I don't know how to try the memory swap trick.
We're in London, so if there's anybody - around here or anywhere really - that could help it would be highly appreciated.
Thanks a lot for taking the time to read this,
Haider

I suggest you remove your newly bought RAM, and replace the old RAM back in the computer. If it works fine after you've put the old RAM back in, I'm inclined to believe that it's juat a bad stick of RAM.

________"None of you understand. I'm not locked up in here with you. YOU'RE locked up in here with ME." - Walter Kovacs, A.K.A. Rorschach.

Hey,
thanks for the reply.
The one slot we can open didn't actually have a stick; it was empty, which is what actually confuses me, because we can't use the suggestion that was put through in the previous posts.
We tried to boot the computer after removing the stick we added but nothing happens.
Are there any other suggestions?
Thanks a lot

Something went wrong somewhere. There are actaully two RAM slots in that laptop. One is under the keyboard and the second slot is on the bottom of the laptop (The one you worked with)

There is no need to access the RAM slot under the keyboard so leave that as it is. Your model does not suffer from a RAM slot problem so you can rule that out.

I suggest that you look for a pin hole in the bottom casing of the laptop and insert a paperclip to "reset" the system. Leave the NEW RAM out and try to boot the laptop. You're trying to get back to step one with a working laptop.

Hi,
we actually did remove the one under the keyboard before I could read this post. We tried the memory switch trick but it didn't work.
We brought it to a repair shop and they called us a few minutes ago saying that the motherboard is gone, because the memory wasn't compatible. He also said that we did the damage when we switched the two memory sticks.
It sounds quite incredible to me that such a thing would break the mother board and are quite puzzled because to fix it he asked for 500£ (1000$).
Any help? I'm desperate, don't know what to do. Again, any suggestions are appreciated.
Thanks a lot to everybody
Haider

That system takes DDR2 RAM. Buying incompatable RAM will not kill the motherboard.

The only way I see that it's possible is if you forced the RAM into the slot and bending the pins enough to make contact with each other shorting them out. That may damage the motherboard but you will know when you apply that much force.

Secondly, if while you had the RAM expansion bay open you touched the motherboard with the screwdriver or dropped something conductive (somekind of metal object) into the system while you were replacing the RAM.

Now, you really don't have much of a choice, you can either get it back from the repair shop and take it somewhere else for another opinion or replace the motherboard or replace the laptop.

I would have tried to dis-connect the CMOS battery if you could first before doing anything.

1. Disconnect the AC adapter from the computer
2. Make sure you are grounded (a wrist strap is best)
3. Remove all main batteries
4. Unplug the CMOS battery
5. Use only wooden or plastic tools to pry parts
6. If you don't know what you're doing, don't do it

My laptop had a blue screen of death about 2 days ago. I re-install windows and so far it is working fine. But, I know the problem is due to overheating. The fan is soooooooo loud, itís unbelievable. I brought I cooling pad to put underneath. The bottom doesnít feel as hot as it used to but the fan still makes terrible noise. Sometimes what I do, is put a regular big fan on top of the machine for it to blow in the laptop fan and you see the noise diminish.

My question is what to do. Do I get a new laptop fan (heatsink)? I am not sure the laptop fan is malfunctioning since it is functioning or is the noise a sign that it is time to replace it?

I am tired of this vaio 505d model, first it stopped booting, I had to remove a screw inside for it to work, now this.
Thanks,Jacobson00@yahoo.com

hi I have a Sony Vaio VGN220p that wont boot up. When I press the power button the power light comes on and stays on. Nothing else happens. I have played with the memory modules but nothing changes. there is absolutley no sounds of a fan or HDD working. What could be the problem.

I have a PCG-GRV 680 and I am having the same problem. I was upgrading my memory in one of the slots. I ended up using only one of the slots.

The issue with the slot could be spring retention in the slot connector. I notice that if I reseat the memory and push down my computer will start and reach Windows. But then after a couple of minutes will freeze. One the connector is used to take out the memory it looses its retention. They may not have been made right. Just a guess but I have some experiance with plastic products manufacturing. The heat probly does not help either. Most of the time my computer does not reboot to Windows. But taking out the second memory has worked so far!

Hi guys.
This looks like the corect place to tag on my message for my issues with a vaio.
I have the FS-215Z with the port.rep. etc etc
Basically, after shutting it down normally today, when I returned to it to turn it on...nothing....it doesnt start.
I've tried without the battery, with the battery, and a combination of both.
The adaptor works as it powers up the port rep...but when I dock the laptop, still no power.
I don;t think this a memory issue as I upgraded both slots to 512mg each a year ago....
Not really sure what the issue is and its driving me mad as i've got a major presentation next week. If all else fails,I'm getting a 2.5" adaptor and will copy the HDD before send the laptop off for repair (under insurance).
Seems like I'm the only one who actually like his Vaio...LOL...!!!
Hope someone can help or give some adivce...many thanks

Wow. This forum is a good resource for Vaios. Anyway, onto my problem...

I have a GRX-500 and I have been getting the abrupt shutdown problem. Basically I turn it on, it stays on for like 5-10 minutes, and then abruptly turns off. Tom's site says this is caused by overheating, so I took off the heat sink and applied a thermal pad, and also thermal paste when the pad didn't seem to be working. No improvement. I'm pretty sure the heat sink is working because it gets hot soon after the laptop turns on, but more cooling doesn't seem to help the problem.

I've taken it to 2 different places, where they found some bad memory (so they said) and replaced it. The second place said it was fine, then I took it home and the same problem was still there. I'm at my wit's end!! Does anyone have a suggestion?

P.S. Something that might be related: when this problem first started, the HD light would blink and the laptop would make an odd whirring/clicking sound right before it died. It doesn't do that anymore though. Please help!

This is a result of failing power supply components on the motherboard. The strange noise you were hearing was the sound of the hard drive losing power and spinning down then back up again. The system should have been freezing up as the noise was being produced.

There is no do it yourself type repair for this problem. The laptop needs to come in for service. Please contact me for pricing and turn around time.